Detroit has been undergoing a significant transformation in recent years, with new businesses, housing developments, and public spaces emerging throughout the city. Key to this transformation has been the work of organizations like the Detroit Community Fund, and the leadership of people like Ray Waters, the organization’s President.

In this article, we will explore the role that Ray Waters and the Detroit Community Fund have played in driving economic growth and development in Detroit. We will look at Waters’ background and experience, as well as the organization’s mission, impact, and programs.

Ray Waters is a Detroit native with a wealth of experience in community development and finance. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Michigan State University and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Detroit Mercy.

Waters has held leadership roles in various organizations throughout his career, including Comerica Bank, First Independence Bank, and the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation. In these roles, he has worked to support small businesses, attract investment to Detroit, and create job opportunities for the city’s residents.

Since becoming President of the Detroit Community Fund, Waters has been instrumental in the organization’s efforts to provide financial resources and support to businesses and individuals in the city. Under his leadership, the organization has provided over $50 million in financing to small businesses and nonprofits in Detroit’s most underserved communities.

The Detroit Community Fund is a nonprofit organization that provides financing and technical assistance to small businesses and nonprofit organizations in Detroit. Founded in 1996, the organization has provided over $230 million in financing to support economic growth and development in the city.

The organization offers a range of financial products, including loans, grants, and lines of credit, to help support small businesses and nonprofit organizations in Detroit. It also offers technical assistance and mentorship programs to help entrepreneurs and small business owners overcome the unique challenges they face in Detroit’s business landscape.

The Detroit Community Fund’s programs are designed to support economic development in underserved communities in the city, with a focus on creating jobs, improving access to resources and services, and promoting entrepreneurship and innovation.

The Detroit Community Fund has played a significant role in driving economic growth and development in Detroit. The organization’s focus on providing financing and support to small businesses and nonprofits in underserved communities has helped to create and retain jobs throughout the city.

The organization has also played a role in supporting the revitalization of key neighborhoods in the city, including Corktown, Midtown, and Downtown. By providing financing to small businesses and real estate developers in these areas, the Detroit Community Fund has helped to create new opportunities for residents and attract investment to these neighborhoods.

The organization’s work has not gone unnoticed. In 2020, the Detroit Community Fund was recognized by the Opportunity Finance Network for its work in supporting small businesses and communities in Detroit. The organization was one of only three recipients of the organization’s prestigious 2020 Small Business Finance Award.

Ray Waters and the Detroit Community Fund are driving economic growth and development in Detroit. Through their focus on providing financing and support to small businesses and nonprofits in underserved communities, they are creating jobs, improving access to resources and services, and promoting entrepreneurship and innovation throughout the city.

Their work is helping to revitalize neighborhoods and attract investment to Detroit, making the city a more vibrant and dynamic place to live and work. As the city continues to transform, the Detroit Community Fund and Ray Waters will continue to play a vital role in shaping its future.